The Ultimate Guide to BB and CC Creams

This entry was posted on 31st July 2015 by The Salon Look Girl.

It can’t just be me who’s been confused by the new era of tinted moisturisers that have hit the beauty scene in recent years. From BB to CC and even DD creams (‘daily defence cream’ in case you wanted to know), beauty is racing through the alphabet and leaving a bit of confusion in its wake. Allow me to simplify things and help you determine which option is best for you and, more importantly, let you know once and for all the benefits of each product type to your skin. I’ve put together a quick guide to the world of BB and CC creams. Here’s the lowdown:

BB Cream
Focusing on skincare benefits, BB cream (short for blemish balm) is an all-in-one serum, moisturiser, primer, SPF and foundation that offers daily sun protection, extra hydration, and a touch more coverage than a tinted moisturiser. You’ve probably seen this item in the shops for a while now, and it tends to be the most popular option due to its ‘one size fits all’ nature. BB creams are convenient, plus they give you natural-looking coverage and skin-boosting benefits. BB creams tend to be more suitable for more sensitive skin types and their lightweight, non-greasy formulas are the better option for acne prone skin. If you’re after a natural finish with a bit of coverage and a lightweight feel, this is the product for you. Try Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free BB Cream £10.99.

CC Cream
CC Creams are BB Cream’s big sister. Short for colour corrector, CC creams contain all of the BB benefits, plus colour correcting ingredients like Vitamin C, to brighten dark spots and light diffusing particles to improve your overall skin tone. They contain a super dose of antioxidants and a higher SPF to protect and beautify your skin. CC Creams are a better option for more mature skin types as they are packed full of free radical fighters like green tea and vitamin E to keep your skin sunspot and wrinkle-free. Some also have coloured undertones to help counteract redness in skin, so are a great option for any sufferers of rosacea. These creams tend to offer more coverage, and they’re especially great for people who are looking for a matt finish. Give L'Oréal Nude Magique CC Cream Anti-Redness (£11.60) a try.

When it comes time to make your choice, bear in mind that every BB and CC cream has unique benefits, but in general, reach for a CC Cream over a BB Cream if you want fuller, more foundation-like coverage. Either option is a great multi-tasking product that will fast become an everyday staple in your makeup bag. Trust me, you’ll never look back…plus you’ll have extra room in your makeup bag for those new Summer lip colours you’ve been coveting. Winner.